News
Pidgley successfully steps up in class at Aintree High Profile
- Written By: British Dressage
- Published: Fri, 04 Nov 2022 12:03
Olympic Bronze medallist Gio made a winning return to the top level with Annabella Pidgley earning her first High Profile Grand Prix victory, whilst Britain’s elite enjoyed a glittering week at Aintree Equestrian (26 – 30 October 2022) with high scores across the board from Medium to Big Tour.
Junior rider Annabella Pidgley continues to thrive in her partnership with mother Sarah Pidgley’s Gio, under the guidance of former rider Charlotte Dujardin and long-term trainer Cathrine Dufour. The combination have successfully made the step up to Grand Prix, following their Stübben Intermediate II win at the LeMieux National Championships in September. Their debut at Hunters Equestrian on 19 October earned 73.37%, and a trip to the bigger stage at Aintree Equestrian would prove no difficulty as the judges rewarded 75.98% in the iconic arena.
Speaking on social media Annabella commented, “A great day for Pumpkin and I today at Aintree High Profile where he won the Grand Prix with 75.98%. Very proud of him and so happy with how we are progressing as a partnership when I’m so new to this level. Very excited for next year with this special horse.”
In the Grand Prix Freestyle competition, taking place on a spellbinding gala evening at Aintree Equestrian, it would be Matt Frost with his own and Nicola Keenan’s 10 year old Helga to claim the top spot in a competitive music class. Riding to powerful music, they scored 75.54% ahead of runners up Sarah Rao and Alfranco scoring 73.21%.. A special mention goes to former Youth team rider and medallist Alexandra Hellings who rode her final test in the Grand Prix Freestyle class on board long-time team partner Uvender V, who we now wish a happy retirement. The combination have competed from Juniors to senior Grand Prix representing Great Britain at two European Championships for youth riders and scored a super 70% for third place on their Aintree finale with friends and family travelling to the local venue to enjoy the occasion.
In the Small Tour classes Katie Bailey enjoyed stellar results on board Heather and Rowan Bryson’s Izonik and Hillgrounds Wolkenhall. Izonik, a former Young Dressage Horse National Champion, has come of age with Katie in the saddle and showed much class to win Friday's Magic Prix St Georges with 73.87% before placing second to Sadie Smith and fellow former Young Horse Champion Swanmore Dantina in Sunday’s Prix St Georges Freestyle to Music. Sadie’s winning score was 80.04%, whilst Izonik earned an equally impressive 77.58%. With her own 11 year old Hillgrounds Wolkenhall, Katie claimed the Intermediate I double with a victory in the Superflex qualifier on 73.43% before notching up the highest score of the show, a superb 80.88% in the gala evening freestyle.
Kirstie Clarke stood out in the Medium and Advanced Medium contests to start the week with a plethora of wins earned on Susan Sutton’s Sport Horse Centre Sissily and Fenella Quinn’s Ghita Fille de Zita S. The Lancashire based rider score 70.83% and 68.92% to win both of Wednesday’s Advanced Medium tests with new ride ‘Ghita’, she commented on social media: “The incredible “Ghita” owned by Fenella Quinn was a dream! This was only our second show together and we’re still learning so much about each other! Cannot wait to see what this journey holds for us both and I’m forever grateful to Fenella, her amazing owner, for allowing my this opportunity!” Dual Medium winner Sissily is also a new ride for Kirstie who wasn’t short of praise for her second star mare and supportive owner Susan Sutton, with two scores over 70% we can look forward to following an exciting new combination.
White Hill Stud’s Jessica Dunn also enjoyed triple wins at Advanced Medium level with the promising Dan It’s Carson, owned by Jennifer Whittaker. The nine year old bay gelding (Durable x Clearway) is British-bred by the Gleave family, owners of popular sire Durable who competed successfully to Grand Prix by Nikki Barker. A winning show continued at Medium level for Jess who also collected a top podium placing on board Jane Denny’s Heyday Daquille SH (Voice x Vivaldi).
Congratulations to all who took part and thank you to the team at Aintree Equestrian for hosting a fantastic event.
Results – top three
Wednesday 26 October
Medium 61 Gold
1. Anne-Marie Cowan and Lumière L, 71.44%
2. Jessica Dunn and Heyday Daquille SH, 71.03%
3. Levi Hunt and Vivendi, 69.94%
Medium 61 Silver
1. Kirstie Clarke and Sissily, 71.38%
2. Alicia Laughton and Armada Bathsheba, 70.63%
3. Claire Dutton and High Valley, 68.91%
HorseLight Medium 73 Gold
1. Jessica Dunn and Heyday Daquille SH, 71.52%
2. Anne-Marie Cowan and Lumière L, 71.03%
3. Kirstie Clarke and Powered by Furst Impression, 69.31%
HorseLight Medium 73 Silver
1. Kirstie Clarke and Sissily, 70.05%
2. Alicia Laughton and Armada Bathsheba, 69.12%
3. Olivia Rimmer and Oscar C, 67.16%
Advanced Medium 85 Gold
1. Jessica Dunn and Dan It’s Carson, 74.12%
2. Davy Harvey and Diamond Blue, 71.37%
3. Jessica Dunn and Hokita, 68.97%
Advanced Medium 85 Silver
1. Kirstie Clarke and Ghita Fille De Zita S, 70.83%
2. Gracie Morgan and First Pitch, 66.32%
3. Clara Withers and Dee Jay Asgard, 66.23%
Equitex Advanced Medium 92 Gold
1. Jessica Dunn and Dan It’s Carston, 73.47%
2. Davy Harvey and Diamond Blue, 70.81%
3. Tracy Tomlinson and Wa’Spoir, 68.56%
Equitex Advanced Medium 92 Silver
1. Kirstie Clarke and Ghita Fille De Zita S, 68.92%
2. Charlotte Donovan and Just It’s Mie, 65.68%
3. Emily Clarke Attwood and Inspector Gadget II, 65.32%
Thursday 27 October
HorseLight Medium 75 Gold
1. Anne-Marie Cowan and Lumière L, 71.44%
2. Gracie Morgan and First Pitch, 68.83%
3. Levi Hunt and Vivendi, 65.50%
HorseLight Medium 75 Silver
1. Poppy Burner and Cillnabradden Evo, 67.21%
2. Tracy-Anne Ormrod and Elena, 66.35%
3. Anna Bates and Gitina, 65.14%
Equitex Advanced Medium 96 Gold
1. Jessica Dunn and Dan It’s Carson, 70.83%
2. Davy Harvey and Sapphire Blue, 69.78%
3. Jessica Dunn and Hokita, 69.12%
Equitex Advanced Medium 96 Silver
1. Anna Bates and Gitina, 64.43%
2. Tracy-Anne Ormrod and Elena, 63.90%
3. Margaret Anita Jones and Dimagic, 63.25%
Magic Prix St Georges Gold
1. Sarah Higgins and Samuel IV, 71.13%
2. Rebecca Edwards and Dita Von Teese, 70.83%
3. Tyler Bradshaw and Gijsbert, 69.07%
Magic Prix St Georges Silver
1. Sarah Fitton and Florenciana 4, 64.66%
2. Emily Watts and Fanucci, 63.68%
3. Lucinda Bellis and Windover II, 61.13%
Superflex Intermediate I Gold
1. Davy Harvey and Hawtins Rossana, 73.48%
2. Sarah Higgins and Geniaal, 72.75%
3. Tyler Bradshaw and Gijsbert, 69.51%
Superflex Intermediate I Silver
1. Sarah Fitton and Florenciana 4, 67.89%
2. Gemma Pinson and Spitfire, 66.81%
3. Lucie Barnarova and Barchetta, 65.10%
Friday 28 October
Magic Prix St Georges Gold
1. Katie Bailey and Izonik, 73.87%
2. Becky Moody and James Bond, 72.79%
3. Sadie Smith and Swanmore Dantina, 72.50%
Magic Prix St Georges Silver
1. Megan Assouline and Stald Lykke’s Black Magic, 65.44%
2. Sarah Fitton and Florenciana 4, 64.85%
3. Alice Pullem and High Fashion MFS, 61.18%
Superflex Intermediate I Gold
1. Katie Bailey and Hillgrounds Wolkenhall, 73.43%
2. Becky Moody and Jack Diamond, 72.79%
3. Angus Corrie-Deane and Jack Johnson, 72.30%
Superflex Intermediate I Silver
1. Claudia Davis and Fergus RT, 67.30%
2. Alice Pullem and Cheeky Wee Red, 61.13%
3. Gemma Dainty and Balance, 60.29%
Intermediate II Gold
1. Kikka Suomio and Trostrupland’s Savannah, 67.40%
2. Steph Croxford and Mr Jurist, 66.91%
3. Tyler Bradshaw and Gijsbert, 65.59%
Saturday 29 October
FEI Children on Horses Team
1. Violet Hawkins and DZL Royal Sunrise, 78.05%
2. Violet Hawkins and Cruz III, 75.68%
3. Madi Haerr and Don Schumeister, 70.88%
FEI Pony Team
1. Sofia Games and Next Black Magic, 74.00%
2. Sofia Games and Steendieks Cadillac, 73.19%
3. Fleur Pocock and Brouwershaven’s Jasper, 69.76%
FEI Junior Team
1. Isla Sully and Vagabond De Massa, 72.63%
2. Poppy Burner and Cillnabradden Evo, 70.61%
3. Morgan Haerr and Floran, 67.47%
FEI Young Rider Team
1. Ruby Hughes and Worlds Exclusive, 73.48%
2. Maddy Frewin and Blue Hors Dexter, 71.81%
3. Megan Assouline and Stald Lykke’s Black Magic, 67.75%
Intermediate I Freestyle Gold
1. Katie Bailey and Hillgrounds Wolkenhall, 80.88%
2. Becky Moody and Jack Diamond, 79.82%
3. Sarah Higgins and Samuel IV, 77.88%
Intermediate I Freestyle Silver
1. Lucie Bernarova and Barchetta, 67.38%
2. Samantha Bloor and Elason, 65.44%
Grand Prix Freestyle Gold
1. Matt Frost and Helga, 75.54%
2. Sarah Rao and Alfranco, 73.21%
3. Alexandra Hellings and Uvender V, 70.71%
Sunday 30 October
Prix St Georges Freestyle Gold
1. Sadie Smith and Swanmore Dantina, 80.04%
2. Katie Bailey and Izonik, 77.58%
3. Sarah Higgins and Samuel IV, 76.04%
Prix St Georges Freestyle Silver
1. Claudia Davis and Fergus RT, 72.58%
2. Lucinda Bellis and Windhover II, 69.92%
3. Josephine Clewlow and Bon Jovi AKW, 67.71%
Grand Prix Gold
1. Annabella Pidgley and Gio, 75.98%
2. Emile Faurie and Robinvale, 71.34%
3. Emile Faurie and Bellevue, 70.58%
